Xinjiang's digital economy grows by 10 percent in 2020

Xinjiang's digital economy grew by 10 percent in 2020, accounting for 26 percent of the autonomous region's total GDP, according to local authorities.

The head of the region’s Industry and Information Technology Department attributed the growth to investments in "new infrastructure" such as 5G networks and data centers, which brought new driving forces to the digital economy.

Industry leading companies such as the Great Wall Group and Sugon invested in factory construction in Urumqi last year, which helped expand the local industrial base.

A semiconductor chip factory in Horgos started mass production and a software park attracted settlement of 230 companies.

The integration of 5G and the industrial internet also contributed to the growth.

During the 13th Five Year Plan (2016-20) period, Xinjiang set up 6,272 5G base stations resulting in 5G service extending to 2.75 million users.

The industrial internet has been applied in more than 20 key sectors such as new energy, oil and gas exploitation, electric power, and equipment manufacturing.

It has also helped promote digital design, intelligent manufacturing, online collaboration and lean management.

According to the official, Xinjiang will further boost industrial digitization and apply digital technology to upgrade the industries of energy and chemicals, textiles and clothing, machinery and equipment, and mining.